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which has resulted from this cause is due to those who persistently
opposed vaccination in the past.
In 1901 I indicated the possibility of typhoid fever being derived
from the smaller kinds of shell-fish taken from polluted sources.
Unfortunately, that view has been confirmed during 1902 by numerous
cases which have occurred in Westminster and elsewhere. The question
has been taken up by the Commission on Sewage Disposal, now sitting,
so that steps may be taken to protect an important food supply from
pollution in the future.
The indoor staff now has been re-organised in conformity with an
alteration of the system in all the departments, and now consists of two
first division, one second division, and one boy clerk, together with a
messenger and general assistant in the Sanitary Inspector's office. The
outdoor staff consists of one Chief, two Food and Smoke, and eight
District Inspectors, with disinfecting, drain-testing and mortuary
assistants. I am pleased to be able to say that the work of the department
has proceeded smoothly and satisfactorily, the members of both
branches having co-operated most loyally in carrying it out.
I have again to draw the attention of the Council to the desirability
of appointing an Assistant Medical Officer, and Women Inspectors.
With regard to the former, I reported last year that:—"The question of
appointing an Assistant. Medical Officer was discussed by the Council at
the time when the staff was being arranged. I am able to say now that
there is ample work for such an officer, who might be obtained without
much extra cost, as he would be able to undertake the examination of
candidates selected for positions under the Council, of employes who
were ill or incapacitated, as well as the bacteriological and other work
for all which the Council now employs outside help."
I am able to say now that not only might such an officer be
appointed without extra cost, but that an economy could be effected
by the appointment of such an officer. Additional work which cannot
well be carried out by ordinary inspectors has been added to the
department by the special work which all municipalities require to be
carried out in connection with the prevention of consumption, and lately
the Metropolitan Asylums Board have agreed to notify the date of discharge
of fever and diphtheria patients, so that they might be visited
with a view to seeing that the instructions given on leaving hospital
were being complied with.
The inspection of work-places has become a specific duty under the
Factory and Workshop Act, which came in force in 1902, and in view
of the large number of women employed in Westminster it is desirable
that women inspectors should be employed to visit such places, which
seem to require constant supervision. Most of the Metropolitan